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Op-Ed: Bringing More Homeless To Crown Heights, A Different View

by Anonymous

When I read the article from CrownHeights.info called “Massive New Housing Development Takes Away Parking Spots and Brings More Homeless” I knew I had to weigh in. I was very happy that there is a chance that Crown Heights is going to offer more housing for the homeless. But I was very upset that some of my neighbors are so upset about the idea of more homeless people moving into the community and becoming their neighbors.

I was homeless nine years ago. I stayed in a homeless shelter for about 6 months. What I saw in that homeless shelter were that some people had two or three jobs and could still not afford rent. What some people fail to realize is that many people are just one missed paycheck or medical crisis away from homelessness. Rent is just too damn high here in NYC and elsewhere.

I was lucky enough to get housing in Crown Heights through a program that houses the homeless. Unlike what many of you think, before these programs house the homeless they make sure they are ready to live independently. And they come and check on the people while they are in their apartments.

Since I have moved to Crown Heights, I have not harmed anyone. I have not committed any crimes. I volunteer. I go to college. I spend money on local businesses. I have made friends. I am part of this community.

And that’s what these other homeless people who are coming will be. They will be your neighbors, your customers, and maybe even become your friends. You won’t even know that they are the ones who were previously homeless (like people don’t know that about me).

Crown Heights is big enough for all of us.

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12 Comments

  • Benefit of the doubt.

    Assuming that your 1000% correct.
    We must see the bigger picture of the project.
    There are former criminals being given housing as well as the mentally ill.
    When a mentally ill person walks on Kingston ave and assaults someone, nothing can be done.
    That is the bigger issue to be looked at.

  • Can Agree but!!!

    If you can prove that it’s so good and so true, Gezunterheit! Convince the CH Jewish community council and have them build these homes next door to THEM!!! Persistent and Kingston! Carroll and Troy! Kingston and East NY!! But don’t shove them near yong Jewish families that can’t stick up for themselves, that the $$ and benefits from having it in your community and close eyes…. No name’s….

  • Wishful thinking

    Have a walk down Albany ave or clarkson
    Large percentage of the ppl houses here are mentally unstable drug addicts etc.
    I am all for giving homes to ppl that are less fortunate but not for those that don’t have the ability to behave properly around others.

    My family get yelled at. My kids see things that should never have to. The area is full of trash , theft, fighting etc.

  • Anonymous

    I am a property manager in los angeles. I work with many organizations that arrange for housing for the homeless. I can tell you there are a few types. 1 is just a family that fell on hard times, had domestic issues or just can’t manage to get a job that pays enough. Then there are those that just can’t get their act together and will usually fall out of these programs and end up in the street.

  • Anonymous

    Then the 3rd catergory are those that are either mentally ill and need assisted living because even though they are usually nice people, they will allow bad people to take advantage of them and those bad characters will usually hang out at those houses. Very few are themselves, bad people. Most just need a case worker to be constantly on top of them.

  • Jay

    Fair share is not over-saturation of govt funded homeless services on only one street & the challenges that come with it. Current Draft EIS has 136 units for the chronically homeless, not a one time pay check problem. and 139 behavioral health SMI (serious mental health issue) persons. https://esd.ny.gov/sites/default/files/ESD-KPC-DSOW.pdf – p 7, What happens when someone goes Kanye West?

  • Yisroel

    It’s a simple question. It’s not, if you or any other individual did or didn’t do crime, are or aren’t good. It is, whether there is (significantly) more crime when a homeless shelter comes to a neighborhood.

    Either there is or there isn’t. It has nothing to do with making a judgment about individuals.

  • It's whom are they letting in!

    A person could be homeless because he lost his job and couldn’t pay the rent. But he behaves like a decent human being. Takes a shower, not on drugs, not psychotic. Give him/her a job and a roof and they won’t be “homeless” anymore.

    And then there are the chronically homeless, drugged up and dangerous.

    Guess who’s going to be moving here!

  • Exception to the rule

    The OP-ED writer is the rare exception to the rule.

    The vast majority of the homeless shelters in this area are occupied by persons with severe mental health disorders.

  • Against!

    Enough is enough! No homeless shelter near young families! And to mix the shelter with senior citizens is even worse! Stupid and irresponsible to the max! Why not out these in red hook or down near Howard Beach? In far rockaway they have these places and the look what we have there..houses are broken into daily. Very scary